Novelty gift - cat in the box

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a novelty gift that includes a power supply such as a DC voltage source, a motor with an eccentric loading that can cause a shimmy or vibration when operated, an audio card or sound player with speaker to emit a recorded sound, and a processor that can receive a proximal wireless signal and actuate the motor and audio card simultaneously or sequentially. The device includes a small remote device that can be preferably hidden in the palm of a hand, and can activate the device with the press of a button on the remote. Once activated, the motor will produce vibrations that are transferred to the box itself, while the audio card emits sounds through the speaker simulating an animal.

BACKGROUND

Novelty items are often used as gifts between friends and offer anopportunity for levity and good memories. Truly memorable novelty itemscan capture one's imagination and rise to the level of a fad or craze.Characteristics of the best novelty items are surprise and cleverness,particularly items that can appear as one thing and unexpectedly turninto something else.

Most gag gifts, however, are low brow and simplistic, from cups thatunexpectedly dribble to flatulence cushions to simulated animalexcrement. What the art is missing is a humorous, creative gift thatwill entertain many people and is always in good taste.

Examples of other patented novelty items include U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,263to J. A. Frampton, which discloses an amusement device in the form of agift type box having an openable container for a flexibleanimal-simulating body, such as a snake. A lever mechanism is connectedbetween the cover section and the creature body to impart a life-likemovement to the creature body when the cover is moved to its openposition to thus surprise the unwary inquisitor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,209to S. J. Moore discloses a package amusement device for producing soundor light upon interaction with a package. The system comprises adetection apparatus coupled with packaging material for detectinginteraction with the packaging material, and a microprocessor apparatuscoupled to the packaging material and electronically connected to thedetection apparatus for generating a pre-programmed signal with respectto the type of interaction. U.S. Pat. No. 7,116,233 to D. V. Zhurindiscloses a sound-reproducing package that comprises a housing forstoring a consumer product, a sound signal reproducing unitelectronically connected to a power supply, a loudspeaker, at least oneexternal activation sensor connected to the sound signal reproducingunit, and a package state sensor operative to form a signalcorresponding to an open or closed state of the package, or the presenceor absence of a consumer product in it. The package state sensor isconnected to the sound signal reproducing unit operative to select fromits memory sound signals for reproducing depending on the signal fromthe package state sensor. U.S. Pub. No. 2007/053638A1 to J. M. Lebbingdiscloses a motion sensor-triggered personalized message celebrationdevice provides a personalized message to someone who is celebrating anevent such as a birthday, graduation, holiday, holy day, wedding or thelike.

Each of these disclosures are representative of the art, but lack thecombination and features of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a remote control operated audio device withmotion actuator that can be used to prank an unsuspecting recipient andsimulates a trapped animal in a gift box. The device is placed in a giftbox, which is wrapped and given to a recipient. The audio device can besurreptitiously activated when the recipient begins to unwrap the gift,while the motion actuator is simultaneously initiated to simulate ananimal trying to escape the gift box. The combination of the soundeffects (e.g., animal sounds) and sudden random vibrational movements ofthe motion actuator is designed to trick the recipient into believing ananimal, such as a cat, is attempting to escape the box. Once the box isopened and the trick revealed, the device is suitable for reuse and canbe utilized with a variety of packaging and containers.

The device is preferably enclosed in a housing that includes a powersupply such as a DC voltage source, a motor with an eccentric loadingthat can cause a shimmy or vibration when operated, an audio card orsound player with speaker to emit a recorded sound, and a processor thatcan receive a proximal wireless signal and actuate the motor and audiocard simultaneously or sequentially. The housing can have an adhesiveside, such as a double sided tape, to firmly but reusably apply thedevice to the wall of an ordinary gift box. The device includes a smallremote device that can be preferably hidden in the palm of a hand, andcan activate the device with the press of a button on the remote. Onceactivated, the motor will produce vibrations that are transferred to thebox itself, while the audio card emits sounds through the speakersimulating an animal.

These and other features of the invention will best be understood withreference to the detailed description of the invention and theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevated, perspective view of a gift box, partiallycut-away, with the invention, including its remote control; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention's electronic components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a novelty gift that can be reused over and overagain as a fake present that can simulate a cat (or other animal)trapped in a box. FIG. 1 shows an ordinary gift box 10 that is made ofcardboard or other lightweight material and has a lid 12 that opens toexpose an interior space defined by four walls and a floor. The interiorspace can be filled with a weight of some kind that corresponds with theweight that one would expect if a preselected type of animal were hidinginside the box. In proximity with the gift box is a small remote control14 for actuating the device 20 inside the box 10 by depressing a buttonor some similar activation mechanism. The remote control 14 should becapable of sending a wireless signal 15 to the device through the box 10from some distance in the range of three feet to twenty feet or more.The operator of the remote control 14 is preferably present and watchingthe unsuspecting recipient and can best determine the optimal timing toactuate the device in the box. Alternate modes for actuating the devicein the box can be a timer, motion sensor, level sensor, etc.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of the device 20 that is placed in the box 10. Thedevice 20 includes a housing 22 that encloses the electronics of thedevice, where the housing 22 can be plastic, aluminum, or some suitablelightweight material. On a first side of the housing 22 is an adhesivetape, patch, or strip that allows the device 20 to be attached to theinside floor of the box 10. The adhesive material is preferably reusablebut not so strong as to damage the box 10 or the adhesive once removed.Inside the housing 22 is a power supply 24 with a switch 26 that allowsthe device to be manually turned on and off. The power supply 24 isconnected to a relay 28 that may be part of a processing unit 30 with areceiver 31 tuned for the remote control 14. The processing unit 30 isconnected to an audio device 32 that can store audio on a memory device.In a preferred embodiment, the audio device 32 has record and play 34capability and a microphone 37 so that the user can record a specificsound/message/greeting for the recipient. The audio device is connectedto a speaker 36 that plays the stored audio when the power is connectedto the audio device 32.

The power supply 24 is also connected to a motor 40 that includes aspinning component 42 that may be eccentrically loaded with a weight 44to cause a vibration when the motor is activated. The electrical powercan be directed through a random output generator 48 and motor outputrelay 49 to cause a random movement of the box, leading to a morerealistic appearance of an organic being in the box rather than amechanical device. The device 20 can play the audio device and cause themotor to oscillate with random vibrations upon activation of the systemby the remote control 14.

In operation, the device 20 is attached to the gift box 10 by theadhesive strip and the switch 26 is turned to the on position, whereuponthe box 10 is closed and wrapped. The stored audio on the audio device32 may have prerecorded sounds such as a cat purring, screeching, etc.,or the record/play option would allow the user to record a specificaudio for the situation. The gift box 10 is then given to the recipientfor opening as if it were any other present. The user preferably has theremote control 14 hidden but ready to activate as the recipient holds orobserves the gift box 10. As the recipient receives the box, the remotecontrol 14 is activated such that a signal is sent from the remotecontrol 14 to the processing unit 30 with the receiver, which receivesthe signal from the remote control and closes a switch to send power tothe audio device 32. The audio device begins to play the stored audio onthe audio device through the speaker 36 while a relay sends power to therandom output generator that actuates the motor 40. The motor 40 spinsthe eccentrically weighted component 42, causing the device 20 and box10 to vibrate or shimmy while audio sounds are emitted though the box.The effect is to simulate the presence of an animal, such as a cat,trying to escape the box while the recipient is left to wonder what ishappening.

The invention can be used to simulate many different types of animals,from a cat to a snake to something more exotic, using the stored audioto simulate the type of animal. The amount of vibration can also be usedto suggest a larger or smaller animal as the situation dictates. Therecan be other variations of the invention as to the various componentswithout departing from the spirit of the invention, and a person ofordinary skill in the art would readily recognize various substitutionsand modifications apart from the disclosed and depicted embodiments. Theinvention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodimentsherein, but rather is intended to include and incorporate all suchsubstitutions and modifications. Accordingly, the scope of the presentinvention is not limited to any specific description or depictionherein, but rather is properly determined by the words of the appendedclaims using their ordinary meanings consistent with, but not limitedby, this disclosure.

1. A novelty device, comprising: a wireless remote control; and ananimal simulating unit having a housing, a power supply within thehousing, a switch for controlling the power supply, an eccentricallyweighted motor, a random output generator coupled to the eccentricallyweighted motor for generating random motion, a processor having areceiver adapted to receive a signal from the wireless remote control,and audio device, and a speaker; wherein the wireless remote controlsends a signal to the processor to initiate the motor to cause ransomvibration influenced by the random output generator while simultaneouslyinitiating audio to be played through the speaker from the audio unit.2. The novelty device of claim 1, wherein the audio device is an audiocard having record and play capability.
 3. The novelty device of claim2, wherein the animal simulating unit simulates a cat.